Saturday, September 28, 2013

Michael Downs

For the past year, or perhaps two, I have been searching for information on my great grandmothers sister, Mary Naughton Downs. I had heard of the name when she was a sponsor for my great uncle Richard Dowd on 23 December 1900.

I initially found her in the Baptism records of St. Thomas RC Church, Braddock, PA. I finally found her in Newark NJ in the 1930 census, and with a bit of sleuthing also in the 1920 and 1940 census in the same place.

Who would have thought that the name Downs could have been misspelled in so many names. A few months ago I found her in the 1910 census [Dowens] living in East Pittsburgh PA. Mary was widowed at the time and had four children alive with four who had died.

I was finally able to find the date of Michaels death. The date of death was 26 March 1898. This was found on a probate record. The will was written and signed on 22 March, 1898. He must have been injured or gravely ill and not expected to survive.

I had checked the deaths of Allegheny County and did not find any of his children or Michael listed. I had also called the nearest two Catholic Cemeteries and they did not have anyone of that family listed. I will have to go back and see the original list of Allegheny County death, if one exists. One would think it would but stranger things have happened.

Since she is in East Pittsburgh in 1910 and living there, or the nearby community of North Braddock since her arrival in the USA, where in the world is she in the 1900 census?
This is still one part of the mystery to go.

About Me

I live in Western PA. I have been working on my genealogy since 2007 or so. I became interested when closing my fathers belonging and wondering about the papers I had found related to my ancestors.
If you are related to any of my ancestors, please email me
cjsperl@gmail.com